Our seemingly infinite patience is about to pay off. The off season in the Verizon IndyCar Series has plodded along far too long. St. Pete this coming weekend should begin to quench our appetites. For those unable to spring break it to the Florida gulf coast IndyCar’s cherry picking primary broadcasting partner will usher in the new season on over-the-air television via (ESPN on) ABC. It is largely uncertain whether the event is being adequately promoted. Many of us do not watch ESPN or ABC much anymore.
If the past is any indication this race ought to be compelling despite it being contested on a temporary street circuit. Ever since IndyCar began tumbling itself down the slippery slope of less popular, lower rated non-ovals in 2005 to its current 70% non-oval orientation favored by the formula wannabees currently occupying and managing the discipline, the St. Pete event has become a nice bookend along with Long Beach. Predictably the venue that provided IndyCar fans with the most exciting race in the last few decades, Fontana, is absent. Phoenix, however, has returned. Despite its recent NASCAR-ization remodel that robbed it of its unique character there is genuine enthusiasm by participants and fans alike this time around. Tickets for out there are booked by the Disciple party.
If the past few seasons are any indication the racing on just about any circuit should be stellar. Nearly continuous micromanagement of specs aside the competition and rules making cast of characters are mostly different this year. Last year during May in the run-up to the Indianapolis 500 oval aero kits were tried for the first time. Cars that began going airborne whenever they got backward caused a significant amount of frayed nerves and bad publicity.
The 100th running of the 500 is set up to be an historic event but mistakes could be repeated. Experimentation with skid plates to prevent airborne adventures has not gone as planned and does not have the complete support of those behind wheels. Since the stage this year is much bigger it would be nice to assume the brain trust will figure it all out prior to May. The clock is ticking.
For many squatting internet haters none of it will matter. Almost any topic devolves to dismissal of anything Dallara manufactures as ‘crapwagons.’ Instead of offering intelligent solutions to mostly self-perceived issues the loudest of the typists actually believe the way to go is simply to locate as many 25 year old Reynards as possible, dust them off, drop in a Cosworth and go racing. The internet is a great source for comedy.
Personally Dallara and all the other entities currently re-making Speedway in an admirable gentrification effort must be commended. Efforts of the Speedway Redevelopment folks in conjunction with nearly continuous improvements being undertaken once again at the Brickyard are outstanding.
We are looking forward to this weekend, May and another great IndyCar season!
Defender of IndyCar 
The model cranking one out is too fit for the average hate site basement dweller.
Another amuzing mindless write. Have ever considered that the people you vilify .re correct? Under the present rules package intended to provide “fairness”, you have brought about the very thing you don’t want? Micro managing anything ultimately results in its own death. Watching no new names that bring excitment to the sport or those willing to push the limits of speed or technology is nothing more than mental mastrubation. Without names like Chevrolet, Miller, Offenhauser, Hall or Granitelli….we simply watch a mindless excerise in futility. We came to see tomorrow…we are now stuck with the past that won’t go away. I also agree with the vilified…..when the boundaries are not pushed and 33 of the same thing are presented as the latest and greatest……you have with a doubt one thing and one thing only….crap! When your ready to wake up and recognize the farce that is being played upon you let me know….I like many others will be dicussing what could and should have been and not the mindless prank we call “crapwagons”. May you enjoy watching Indy Car sink into oblivion.
We call comments like TP’s “mindless crap.”
(Off topic commentary relocated to comment section of 12/19/13 blog.)
One race is in the books. If you didn’t see it, what did you miss? Well, not much of anything. I’ll try to capsulize the final 44 laps:
From lap 66 to 86, there were no passes shown by ABC. That’s because there was no passing. It was 20 laps of freight-train action at its best.
Scott Dixon, thankfully, then made two passes on one lap. Thank you, Jesus, finally some action.
Juan Pablo Montoya passed a lapped car on Lap 88. Actually, the lapped car slowed to the pace of brisk walk, pulled to the side and let JPM proceed without making a move.
For the next 14 laps, we were back to freight-train nothin’-happenin’ racing. Actually, not racing, just playing follow the leader.
I don’t know what happened in the final 8 laps because I fell asleep. I guess I was just too worn out from all the excitement of watching all of 2 on-track, contested passes in the last 36 laps.
Thank goodness there was at least some decent scenery in St. Pete so the overhead camera shots gave me something to look at every 10 minutes or so.
Compare that race to Fontana last year, or any other oval race, and you have to come to one conclusion:
Street courses are made for only one group of people… insomniacs.
The worst oval race is 1,000 times more exciting and interesting than the best street-course race.
Looks like you might have said adios to your blog, D. If that ‘s the case, it was quite a ride. You had bloggers with whom you had a lot of fun with, including me, and had to deal with others who’s behavior can only generously be described as psychotic. Anyway, it’s been a great experience, and if you’re ever in my neck of the woods. have a beer on me. Enjoy the rest of the Indycar season; with the 100th ‘500 coming up, it should be a real trip.
Editor’s Note: Have not hung it up yet…but work has been extraordinarily busy with lots of travel for the past few months. When it slows down I can put the fingers to work. Plus May is just ahead!